Schisandra chinensis (Wu Wei Zi)

Question 1

How do you recognise Schisandra?

Answer 1

• A climbing vine with red berries, can grow up to 8m. Known in China as wu wei zi, in Japan as gomishi and in English as magnolia vine.
• S. sphenanthera also used in China. Wu wei zi means “five flavour berry” - if you chew them, Bendle says sweet and sour flavour.
• Native to wooded hills and mountains in Eastern Asia.

Question 2

What are Schisandra’s main constituents?

Answer 2

Constituents:
* Lignans: Schisandrins A, B, C…, Schisanthins A, B, D, Gomisin, Pregomisin
* Many of the lignans have immunomodulating & hepatoprotective activity. Gomisin is sedative.
* Flavonoids
* Phytosterols
* Terpenes
* Essential oil

Question 3

What family is Schisandra in?

Answer 3

Family: Schisandraceae.

Question 4

What is Schisandra good for?

Answer 4

Summary: Another adaptogen, used mainly for improving vitality, chronic fatigue, insomnia, memory. Useful anti inflammatory and immunomodulating effects.

Actions:
* Adaptogen.
* Expectorant.
* Anti-inflammatory.
* Astringent.
* Cardiac tonic.
* Hepatoprotective and liver restorative.
* Nervous system trophorestorative.
* Immune system modulator.

Applications:
* Traditional usage focused upon the plant’s astringency: diarrhoea and urinary incontinence & as an expectorant.
* Chronic fatigue.
* Stress.
* Poor memory.
* Insomnia.
* Autoimmune problems.
* Few books recommend for liver problems – but research being done on the beneficial effects of the lignans upon this organ.
* Seems to generally increase blood flow and increase amount of O2 available to tissues.

Question 5

What is Schisandra’s Latin name?

Answer 5

Schisandra chinensis

Question 6

What parts of Schisandra do you use?

Answer 6

Part used: berries – these are red when fresh but blue-black when dried.

Question 7

What safety issues might Schisandra have?

Answer 7

Safe herb. Theoretically may increase clearance rates of pharmaceutical medication.

Question 8

What useful research does Schisandra have?

Answer 8

External links:
* Schisandra pages at Examine.com - reductionist but comprehensive!
* Schisandra pages from Herbalgram - includes sustainability info. From 2015
* There is lots of research into Schisandra but much of it by way of nasty animal experiments with isolated constituents.

Question 9

What remedies might you use Schisandra in?

Answer 9

Dosage 20-30ml/week 1:3 tincture
Bendle doesn’t use this much, as he uses other items on the shelf - Eleutherococcus and Withania for Adaptogens, Milk Thistle or Liquorice for Liver Support.